November 2016
Visit our website at www.eocumc.com/mid-ohio
Mid-Ohio Welcomes Bishop Malone
Sunday, November 13
3:00-5:00p
@ First UMC
(220 Sandusky St., Ashland)
Bishop Tracy Malone will be welcomed to the
Mid-Ohio and Firelands districts on Sunday,
November 13 at Ashland: First UMC. We will
begin with a wonderful worship service that will
include music, scriptures, an introduction of the
Bishop and her husband, Derrick, a message
from the Bishop and Communion. You will see
familiar faces taking part in the worship service
in a variety of ways. You can be part of the service by singing in a combined choir. The piece is an
arrangement of the hymn God of Grace and God of Glory. Please let the District Office know if you
will sing in the choir, and plan to arrive by 2:00 pm for a rehearsal. At the end of the worship service
there will be a reception with refreshments and a chance to briefly greet Bishop Malone personally.
Reminder: Update Contact Lists
Please take note that:
1) the email address used by Bishop Malone is different
than the one used by Bishop Hopkins and that can be
found on the conference website (www.eocumc.com)
2) many churches and committees have different contact
persons this fall than they had this past spring. It is important for churches and individuals to update contact
lists and email address databases to ensure that all
messages end up in the hands of the persons for whom
they are intended.
District Calendar
Be sure to get in the habit of
viewing the Mid-Ohio “live” calendar on the district website at,
www.eocumc.com/mid-ohio for
updates and to find availability
for planning purposes. If you
would like a district relevant
event posted please email
[email protected] or
call 419-522-3881. Thank You!
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The Encouraging Word
Paul wrote to the church in Rome: I really want to see you
to pass along some spiritual gift to you so that you can be
strengthened. What I mean is that we can mutually encourage each other while I am with you. We can be encouraged
by the faithfulness we find in each other, both your faithfulness and mine. Romans 1:11-12
Comments by Rev. Karen Oehl
The verses above describe my approach each year to
“Charge Conference season”. I spend the summer thinking
about this time. What scriptures will be used? How might
we arrange our meeting time? How much time can I spend
with the SPR committee? Above all, how are the churches
and pastors to be encouraged?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines encourage this way: “to inspire with courage, spirit or hope;
to attempt to persuade; to make more likely to happen.”
Our first and greatest encouragement always comes from the scripture. This IS our encouraging word.
This year we went to Matthew 14:22-33 to get courage, inspiration and hope. We heard that a disciple
is sent, should expect trouble, has faith (a little bit is enough), and does not work alone.
In my time with each Staff Parish Relations Committee and during the Charge Conference I always
strive to do the further part of that definition of encourage: to persuade and make it more likely that
each church will grow in their discipleship and love in the name of Christ. If any of you are familiar
with the DISC profile tool, I will tell you that I am a promoter and persuader!
The meaning of the word discourage is exactly the opposite of encourage. And here is my struggle
each year we meet. Sometimes the things that I need to say about the realities of a church are very discouraging. Over and over again question 2 on the LCPA (profile of the church filled out by the SPRC
and pastor) is answered the same way. We are aging, the population is shrinking, people don’t come to
church, we are too few.
Knowing these realities, this year I encourage you to use your resources wisely, focus on what you are
passionate about and do well, and above all, find ways to work in partnership with other churches and
in your communities. We have a shared mission and ministry. As the Gospel text reminded us, we are
in the same boat.
Look again at the verses that began this article. Paul looks forward to mutual encouragement. I spend
every fall looking for encouragement. . . .from YOU. I will be honest. There are many evenings when I
come home from a charge conference very discouraged. I have experienced hostility towards the larger
church, meanness toward a pastor, apathy over the church’s work, or despair in the face of obstacles.
This is where courage comes in. It is at the root of both these words, and the definition of courage is
“the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.” I can’t make you have courage,
or even necessarily persuade you to it. It is something that you find in yourselves, and is a gift from
God. Our faith, our hope, our courage comes from Christ himself, who lifts us out of the wind and the
water and joins us in the boat. Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be
afraid.” Matthew 14:27.
SPRC Training. The time of the SPRC consultations is too short for the serious training and encouragement needed, especially when members of the committee change. As directed by Bishop Malone,
there will be workshops for members of Staff Parish Relations Committees this winter. There are three
dates and locations to choose from, and all members are expected to attend. Options are: January 21,
10:00-11:30 am, Bucyrus UMC; February 7, 7:00-8:30 pm, Rural Chapel UMC; February 15, 7:008:30 pm, Ashland Trinity UMC. Please watch for further information.
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Laser Tag
nachos & cheese
Saturday, October 8
Wednesday, October 12
10a - 2p
6:30p
North Olmsted UMC
(4600 Dover Center Rd. * 44070)
@ Nevada UMC
(317 N. Main St. * 44849)
Angelo
Gonzales
Blue Rose is accepting applications for the 2017 year for
field leaders and kitchen help. If you are experienced in
painting, drywall, home repairs, etc and can be available
for 6 weeks next summer go to the Blue Rose website at
www.bluerosemission.org for an application.
All God’s Children is accepting meals prepared for 60
people on Tuesdays at Mansfield First UMC. If your
Small Group or Family is seeking ways to serve here are
two district ministry opportunities.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone not to think of himself more highly
that he should, but to think according to the
measure of faith that God assigned. For as
in one body we have many members with
not the same function.
Ways
Having gifts that differ by
to
the grace of God, let us use
Serve
them. ~ Romans 12:3-6
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Contact Us
Articles for the district newsletter must be submitted by
the 15th of each month and
are subject to editing and
availability.
New Beginnings UMC will host the 5th Annual Delaware Turkey Trot.
The Delaware Turkey Trot is a 5K Run/Walk and includes the Little
Gobbler, a run for kids under the age of 8. The race is November 24
starting at 8:30a (Thanksgiving morning).
Held on Mill Rd Crossing (behind Meijer & Kohls) in Delaware, OH,
the race draws people from all over the state and country.
Last year over 1200 participants and $20,000 was donated to the Autism
Society of Central Ohio. 100% of the proceeds go to the Autism Society
of Central Ohio each year, donating nearly $50,000 to date.
For race flyers email ([email protected])
Registration & more info at: delawareturkeytrot.com Spread the Word!
Mid-Ohio District Office
410 Park Ave., W. Suite 2
Mansfield, OH. 44906
(419) 522-3881
(419) 522-5485 fax
[email protected]
Visit us on the web at
www.eocumc.com/mid-ohio
Please help us to be better
stewards of our resources and
read the newsletter via email or
on the website and let us know
to remove you from the postal
mailing list. Thank You!
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors… The People of the United Methodist Church
Mid-Ohio District Office of the UMC
410 Park Ave. West, Suite 2
Mansfield, OH. 44906-3121
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
MANSFIELD, OH
44902
PERMIT NO. 348
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